As you (hopefully) already know, a social media plan is an important marketing tool for any small business. It’s a wonderful way to introduce a broader audience to your company and to generate new leads. The fact that your social media presence (like your website) is always open and allows for constant exposure is all the more reason to make use of this tool.

The online world never sleeps. This is why it is so important to pay extra attention to your next tweet or status update as you would any other type of external communication. You wouldn’t send a press release riddled with spelling and punctuation errors out to your media contacts. Treat your social media communication with the same care. Keep reading to see why it is so important to avoid grammatical errors in your social media marketing and company blog content.

Lesson One: no1 tHiNkz dis iz CuTe

I am fully aware that in today’s online world, it can be very easy to fall into “text speak” and make those grammar shortcuts. On some social media sites, such as Twitter, it may even be necessary. When your message is limited to only 140 characters, these shortcuts are excusable. However, never make this the norm.

I’m no elitist when it comes to grammar. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share of points deducted for comma splices throughout my life. Even so, as a potential customer, I get extremely annoyed when I see small businesses posting status updates chock-full of errors.

Remember you are still communicating for your business. Whether you realize it or not, spelling and punctuation errors will translate as “incompetence” to your audience. You are undermining your credibility with every mistake you post. Many customers reason that if a company can’t correctly use grammar, how could they trust them to solve their problem?

Lesson Two: Proper Social Media Management

There's no need to use more than one exclamation point. These simple punctuation errors can give your customers the wrong impression of your business.

I know from personal experience that I mentally check out and dismiss a company completely after only a few spelling mistakes. A company that receives my business needs to know the difference between “your” and “you’re” or “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” If a company can’t take the time to proofread a post, I am convinced they won’t take the time to make sure their customers are satisfied.

With that said, spelling and grammar matter. Poor grammar in any of your company’s marketing communication, even social media, will reflect poorly on your business. Don’t risk it. If you want to be taken seriously in the world of social media marketing, make sure your social media manager understands every aspect of this marketing tool, including the importance of correct grammar. This can make all the difference in the results you achieve from your social media marketing plan.

I completely agree. Sad to say, but I actually unfriended an acquaintance on Facebook BECAUSE ALL OF HIS POSTS LOOKED LIKE THIS THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PUNCTAION I COUDLNT STAND THE RUNON SENTENCES ANYMOR.

An occasional typo is forgivable; blatant misuse of punctuation (such as using ,,, instead of …) or lack thereof, all-caps typing, loltxt, and consistently-terrible spelling scream incompetence to me as well. I pride myself on my grammar and communication skills; I hope my online customers appreciate it as well.

Thank you for your comment! I have also had to unfriend quite a few people on Facebook that are repeat grammar offenders.

I can assure you that your proper use of grammar speaks volumes about your competence and business character to your customers. Your customers may not conciously recognize the correlation between your use of correct grammar and the reason they return, but it subconciously contributes to your customer’s brand loyalty. By using proper grammar and punctuation in your written communication, you exhibit professionalism, making your customers more confident in their decision to give you their business.

Thank you for the lesson! I definitely agree with you– why would you NOT use the correct word/spelling if you know it? Anything else just makes you seem less intelligent. A few other ideas for you–I often see writers confuse “then” and “than,” as well as using “I’d,” “I’ve” and “I would’ve” incorrectly.And even while I write this comment I am reminded that I don’t always know the correct way to combine punctuation such as “this,” or “this”, Thanks for your useful and informative blogs!